Lincoln To Celebrate America Recycles Day November 15thSeveral activities planned in Capital City

Mayor Don Wesely today issued a proclamation declaring Wednesday, November 15 as America
Recycles Day in the city. Lincoln will join recyclers across the country in encouraging
citizens to make a pledge to buy products and packaging made of recycled materials.

"Lincoln residents and businesses generate about 290,000 tons of waste each year, which is
6.5 pounds per person per day," Mayor Wesely said. "We can take great pride in the amount
we recycle. In the last fiscal year, more than 12.6 million pounds of recyclables were
collected through the cityís drop-off program, a five percent increase over the previous
year and an all-time high for the program."

America Recycles Day was first celebrated in 1997, and last year, 2.9 million Americans
participated. The theme for this year is "For Our Childrenís Future...Buy Recycled Today."

"Most of us are familiar with the recycling symbol with three arrows, but many donít know
that each arrow has a meaning," said City Recycling Coordinator Gene Hanlon. "The top
arrow represents home and business recycling and the second represents the manufacturer
using recyclables to make a new product. The third arrow, the one we are emphasizing
with this event, represents consumers completing the loop by buying recycled content
products."

Hanlon said the City of Lincoln purchases recycled content products whenever it is
economically and technically feasible, and in 1999, the city purchased over $2 million
of the products.

"America Recycles Day is a celebration of the many recycled content products now
available," Hanlon said. "When consumers choose to buy recycled, not only do they receive
quality products, but they also help to preserve resources."

Lincoln residents have several ways to support America Recycles Day:

People can pledge to increase their efforts to recycle and buy recycled by filling
out forms which enter them in a random drawing. Those age 18 and older can win the
American Green Dream House, and those under 18 can win a trip to Disney World. Pledge
forms are available on the Internet (www.americarecyclesday.org) and at displays in five
locations: the County-City Building, 555 South 10th; the County Extension Office, 444
Cherrycreek Road; the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, 3140 'N' Street; the
State Office Building, 301 Centennial Mall South; and the State Capitol.

Recycling activities will be conducted November 4 at Memorial Stadium in connection
with the Nebraska-Kansas football game, including promotion on Husker Vision. Two hours
prior to the game, Midland Recycling will host a tailgate party and tour at its facility,
530 West 'P' Street. Refreshments will be provided by Midland, Pepsi and K&Z Distributing.

The Lincoln Childrenís Museum at 1420 'P' Street will celebrate Recycling Day from
1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 11. Recycling pledge cards will be available, and
activities for children will include making recycled paper and learning about recycled
content products.

For more information about recycling and America Recycles Day, contact the Recycling Office
at 441-8215.